Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies

Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies

The course of study leading to the Certificate in Museum Studies comprises 15 credit hours at the graduate level. The Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the histories, concepts, and practices of the discipline of museum studies. The Certificate Program enables students to integrate knowledge of museum studies into their own academic disciplines or professional training.

The Museum Studies core curriculum is the basis for the Graduate Certificate, which emphasizes the essential interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of museum work by drawing on a range of departments in the University. Students in the program gain knowledge in preparation for doctoral study, as well as for employment in museums and related fields such as historic preservation, cultural resource preservation, archives, and government agencies.

Admission to Graduate Studies

An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Eligibility criteria for admission to the certificate program follow Graduate Studies' admission policy. A student must hold a baccalaureate degree and have earned at least a B (3.0) grade-point average in previous academic work. Awarding of certificates will be handled consistent with guidelines and timing of degree awards of the Graduate School. Completion of the program will appear on the graduate transcript.

Current KU Students

Current graduate students wishing to enroll in the Graduate Certificate Program will apply through Graduate Studies. A student must be in good standing with their graduate degree program in order to participate in the certificate program. A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission. The application process entails completing the online application, paying a $30.00 application fee, and submitting materials required for the Museum Studies Certificate:

a. A letter stating your interest in Museum Studies and its relationship to your graduate course of study.

b. An unofficial copy of your KU transcript;

c. A letter of support from your faculty advisor or director of graduate study in your graduate degree program.

Non-KU Students

Non-KU graduate students must complete a certificate-seeking application to Graduate Studies and submit an application fee along with the following materials:

a. A letter stating your interest in the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate program. In 2-3 pages, address such topics as (1) what about museums and museum studies particularly interests you, (2) how the Certificate will support or enhance your career goals, (3) the area of museum work most relevant to your career goals, (4) relevant experience and background information, (5) how KU’s program matches your interests, and (6) anything else you think is important to your application.

b. A copy of your college transcript;

c. 2 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic work or potential for graduate study.

The Museum Studies Graduate Certificate will require 15 hours of course work including a 3 credit (minimum) research practicum or internship. The remaining 9 hours will be selected from courses in which there is a demonstrable component that has relevance to museum studies.

The conceptual domains of museum work address in depth the conceptual and theoretical foundations of museums. Courses that emphasize conceptual domains will place museological subjects in broader historical and intellectual frameworks. Students may take courses which may be offered in one or several disciplines. Courses will be selected based on the general relevance of the course, and assurance that the student's work in the class will be applicable to museum studies. Please see the Museum Studies website for examples of possible courses.

Research, Practicum or Internship (3)

3

Total Hours

15

1

To satisfy the requirement of 1 course in a museum conceptual domain, students must have approval of their advisor.